Can animals get sick from WNV?
An infected mosquito can bite any animal, but not all animals will become sick. The disease most often affects birds but may occasionally cause disease in other animals.function openpopup(popurl){var winpops=window.open(popurl,””,”width=600,height=500,scrollbars,menubar”)} Wild birds serve as the main source of virus for mosquitoes. Infection has been reported in more than 225 bird species. Although many birds that are infected with WNV will not appear ill, WNV infection can cause serious illness and death in some birds. The most severe illnesses are seen among the corvid birds , which include crows, jays, ravens, and magpies. Tree squirrels with West Nile virus can develop neurological symptoms such as uncoordinated movement, paralysis, shaking, or circling and may die. Like people, most horses bitten by mosquitoes will not become sick with WNV. However, of those that do, clinical signs may include stumbling, circling, hind leg weakness, inability to stand, muscle tremors, and death.
